05 rolla LE, several issues, clock spring, maf sensor, P0741 ugh

[prophase]

Guys,

This is more of an update but wanted some fresh comments and feedback.

I finally had my wife's 05 rolla diagnosed for the airbag malfunction light and cel light.

We had the ECM replaced under the recall about 2 months ago give or take. We decided to see if the CEL issues and airbag malfunction issue was gone due to the new ecm being in place.

I will start by staying that after diagnosing the problems, my mechanic cleared all CELS and we went about our day as he advised to drive it a bit and see what happens.

Well, we were dissappointed today to find out that, she needs a CLOCK SPRING, new maf sensor (for the lean bank 1 cel) and about 10 minutes after driving the car the P0741 cel came back up yet again.

So in all, 3 issues preventing her from passing inspection, which has been up for a few months now due to lack of funds to fix.

#1 clock spring we know for sure is bad and will fix after P0741 issue resolved

#2 mechanic advised me that replacing the MAF vs cleaning is what should be done, I think the code was P0171 (I could be wrong though). Should I buy a bottle of maf cleaner and give that a go. Do I have to reset the ECM to clear and see if it comes back up?

#3 I am at a loss on how to handle this P0741 cel issue. Car drives smooth as a babies ass. No shift maladies of any kind that I can find. Highway driving is fine, local driving is fine. No bucking, harsh shifts, etc etc.

I will be totally honest in saying I have yet to have her tranny fluid replaced, my bad, yeah I know.

My mechanic advises before we fix the clock spring and maf issue, that the P0741 should take priority.

Questions:
#1 should I have first have the tranny fluid changed out. If I do that first, do I need to reset the ECM to see if it comes back up? At 70K should I have the screen/filter replaced or just a fluid change. My wife drives very easy on the car and never abuses it.

#2 If not, #1, should I have the stealership that replaced the ECM, check to see if it's no good as the P0741 cel was related to the ECM recall if my memory serves me right.

#3 If not #1 and not #2, what the hell do I have to do? Take it to a locally tranny shop and have them rip me off and tell me I need this and that when I really don't.

I really need some help here guys, in a bad place now with all 3 issues, 2 of which I think for the most part are not the end of the world but this P0741 is really stressing me since I am not sure where or whom to go to, to get accurate correct advice on what needs to be done?

Thanks

[prophase]

BUMP, I can't believe no one can give me any guidance on this, went to a tranny shop today (was highly recommended by a few friends), the guy said this is one of the worst and hardest codes P0741 to diagnose and he pretty told me better to trade the car then spend them multiple hours needed to get to the route of the problem.

Please someone chime in here......

[devinsdad]

Let me start this by stating that even though I'vd had my 07 for 3 or so years now, I've only reciently started looking at sites about maintenance. Normally there is a 12 month/12K warranty on dealer installed parts. If you think the ECM is a bad one (it happens, trust me)is it still under that warranty window? If so, take the vehicle back, explain your problems and see if they'll replace it again. The cheap bastard in me says if it's running fine, why mess with it. The mechanic in me says troubleshoot and repair. I've yet to discover a tranny shop...especially a chain one, that wasen't run by ex-cons. Once they have your car.....your screwed. I just had my tranny fluid changed at 86K. They flushed and replaced fluid and added some conditioner for better shifts. I may be dreaming, but it does shift smoother. Outta curiosity, have you asked another mechanic? Please post what the outcome to this is. Trying to soak up some knowledge on the rolla. Good Luck!!

[Amber]

prophase - I have no particular opinion about this issue, as I don't have much knowledge on an auto transmission. But I wanted to ask about passing inspection. In NY, is the inspection for emissions only? Or is it more than that? Mechanical too?

The reason I ask is I was wondering if either of those 3 problems were not effecting passing inspection, I would focus on the problem(s) that do prevent the vehicle from passing.

But assuming for a second that all 3 prevent you from passing inspection, I'm wondering if you could save some money, buy the solenoid for the transmission, then have a transmission shop do as complete a transmission fluid change as is possible, and have them replace the solenoid with the one you bought at the same time.

The clockspring I don't think would be too hard to replace. I think you just need to disconnect the battery and remove the steering wheel air bag. It comes out easier than you think. But I'm just guessing. I don't think the whole steering wheel needs to come out, but I may be wrong. And personally, I'd buy a new MAF at the same time you were to buy the solenoid for the transmission. It may be more than just dirt causing it to not work correctly.

That's my $0.02.

[prophase]

devinsdad: it's possible that it is the ECU but I have a feeling it's not quite frankly. With 70K on the car, we had our local shop check the fluid, it was definately dark, can't say it smelled burned per say but smelled kinda funky, I don't normally smell trany fluid for fun, hahahahah. Will keep you advised

Amber:

#1 she can't pass inspection due to the maf issue (which I can replace myself) and the P0741 cel light related to the tranny issue. 2 shops now told me don't fix anything until the P0741 is resolved and they are right. Why put a maf in first, the tranny related issue is of higher priority cost wise, etc etc. The bad clock spring, will not fail inspection, however, she has no working air bags, so again, another urgent matter, not related to inspection but safety for her well being.

#2 With regards to the tranny issue itself, assuming it's a selanoid is stabbing at the dark like the 2 shops advised. It can be one or some of the items that can cause the issue, speed sensor, selanoid, torqure converter, tranny, etc etc. I don't have thousands of dollars to blindy fix things hoping it will be fixed. Even the selanoid itself will be at least $500+ to replace with labor and if that does not fix it, I just thew away $500. I have read somehwere, on another forum that ppl have tried this and end up spending 3 times more cause they just replaced things until they we all new or rebuilt, then to find out it was a connector or wire issue. Def don't want that to happen.

The real issue to be honest is this P0741, most shops want hours of diagnosis before doing a thing. I have limited funds and every day that goes by, who knows what damage is occuring, despite the car driving smooth as a babies ass LOL. It's quite odd if you ask me. My wife drives easy, very laid back, no abuse to the car in any way. I do all the other normal things like oil changes, filters, and things of that nature.

I guess I was hoping to hear from ppl who had the issue and how they solved it. The maf and clockspring, we know for sure are bad and I can handle that, at last knowing the cost and problem, solves those issues in my mind and the resolve is easy enough despite not being cheap to fix. Clock spring from toyota I think was $275, labor at my local shop, 3 hours, maf sensor $175 from toyota, that is easy as pie to put in.

This P0741 is not your simple, "part is bad, then replace". You can do several repairs and it comes right back, which I have read many have experienced, which cost them quite dearly money wise.

At this point, I am considering going to the stealership, do a full complete flush and screen replacement for $225 and so what happens from their. I am not sure if a simple drain and refill will suffice as this only replaces a portion of the tranny fluid, not all.

If that does not work, taking into account the clock spring, maf sensor and need for inspection on top of this issue, I might have to trade the car and hope for the best. We only had about 8 payments left but the car is in decent positive equity territory.

We all know times are tight and it would take me 4-5 months to save all the money needed to fix the car completely, buy that time the inspectoin will be almost 8 months over due and god knows what else will crop up in that time. Now, within the time needed to save for the repairs, the car very well might just break down, at that point, it's to the junk yard or part out.

My wife and I have had two other rollas, a 01 and 86 5 door hatch, this one has not nearly held up at as well, we had to put in an alternator and battery at 45K, ouch on that. Our old 86 got well over 200K with original tranny (3 speed I believe) and many other original parts. Other than rust, it was a superb car and we only got rid of it due to rusted out floor pans.

I am just very upset as to the problem we have had taking into account average mileage per year, maybe a tad under depending on what the average is considered these days.

[Amber]

That's just a shame. I don't envy being in your shoes. You are seriously in a difficult spot to make a decision. I couldn't blame you if you traded it in ... maybe bought one of their used cars to save some money. Don't know.

I wonder if you could talk to a Toyota dealer, and tell them you'd spend the money to fix the problem. But if they didn't fix the problem the first time, then subsequent repair would not continue to add to your cost. I mean, they are "factory trained" monkeys, they *should* be able to diagnose and repair your problem. But fact is, they probably wouldn't get it right the first time ... and likely would not agree to the proposition I mentioned.

Sorry for your position.

[prophase]

Amber, thanks for your kind reply

To be honest, after almost paying off the car it would be a shame to trade as we made all those payments to own the car and would be back right into another car with new car payments. kinda what I wanted to avoid.

You couldn't get me into another toyota to be honest with you. My subaru is far superior in every way other than gas mileage. Toyota of the past, hell yeah, toyota of today, hell no. If in a fake world toyota said, here, enjoy this new 2012 rolla on us, and we'll take your old car back, I would take the new one, sell it immediately and get something else. Loyalty is a thing of the past these days and big companies don't care wether you come back or not, why, cause the population is so large now, looseing some customers barely hurts them, maybe not at all.

So after talking with mikered30 via PM today, I am considering doing the full tranny flush, not just drain and fill

I normally would do this myself like my oil changes but due to late work hours and heavy stress it's best left to someone else.

Toyota charges $225 for this lovely service but that's about all I would do, once I mull it over and hope for the best.

I was thinking of calling the toyota car line but last time I did that, they pretty much blew me off like what I had to say meant jake squat. I mean 3 problems all at one time, with only 70K. Does not buad well for them but we all know they really won't do a thing but take a report and that's it.

So at this point, it's time to choose a path and walk it. Not gonna make any brash decisions so will update once we decide what to do.

If anyone else chimes in, of course I'll post up

[anais05]

Most likely if you flush the tranny fluid and replace the ecu then you can rule those out (highly doubt it is the ecu and fluid to begin with). If you know anyone with a scanner you can use it to turn your tcc solenoid (shift solenoid sl)on and off to see if it is the solenoid, if it is not the solenoid then it is your tcc, very common with this model. good luck, and keep us update on your situation.